It is Thanksgiving Day; a day to give thanks. Most everyone has something for which they are grateful. I will mention three. 

       Home 

I am grateful for my home. Though as a kid, I moved three times in five years, I’ve only moved once in the last forty-four years. 

Shortly before marriage, my husband and I purchased five acres and built a small house “off grid.” We lived without running water, electricity or a phone for a few years, then when the house had all the conveniences of a modern home, we sold it and moved into town.

Our little house in town, where we’ve lived for the last 33 years, was at first, not ideal, but it was what we could afford at the time. Over the years though, it has been transformed into the ideal house for us.

My husband tore down the funky dirt floor garage and built a solid two car garage in its place. The lot on which our house sits was once infested with nothing but tansy and other weeds that my husband chopped down. The bathroom, kitchen and attic, have all been remodeled and all the windows and flooring replaced. 

Though our one bathroom house seemed too small while we were raising our family, now it is just the right size for us. 

            Health

Thankfully, my parents did not have any genetic disorders such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes which they could have passed on to their offspring. 

Dad was a depressed alcoholic. Whether he treated his depression with alcohol, or whether his depression resulted from his consumption of alcohol, I don’t know. But, I don’t have to contend with either of those conditions.

Mom’s personality was interesting as was her display of emotions. From watching the way she lived, I knew I wanted to make different choices. And though our parents’ personalities can influence our lives, they don’t have to dominate our lives.

Consequently, I am grateful that neither my mental or physical health is a high maintenance issue. Not only is it easy for me to get physical exercise every day, but I find it to be enjoyable and not a chore. 

Mental health maintenance includes writing daily in my journal, inspirational reading, praying and talking things out with someone who knows me well. Though I have my share of snarky moods, they do not last for days on end. And though I’ve struggled in the past with worry, my ongoing relationship with God shows me more and more how insignificant my worries are in the light of God’s abundant goodness.

                      Husband

I just have to shake my head and smile when I think back on how frightened I was about getting married and how happy I am to be married.

Occasionally, I have ghoulish nightmares and scream in my sleep. My husband is the one who wakes me and though I’m embarrassed, I am thankful. 

My husband tells me often that he loves me even when I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary. 

My husband has supported me through all my education endeavors, my financial investments and my sometimes fickle dietary changes. 

Though he does not always understand my reasoning; “You want another child?” “You want to go to work, where?” “You plan on riding your bike, how many miles?” He’s always respected me. 

Why Bother?

Why bother giving thanks? Giving thanks reminds us that when we look, we will see that goodness abounds.